Express Lane To Software Asset Management

However, some of the suites in this space try to cover every aspect of asset management but often fall short of capturing metrics crucial to helping managers negotiate licenses. So buyer beware. Channel Test Center engineers highly recommend using point products that primarily capture hardware and network information. This is crucial to a successful audit. Once data is collected, there are many ways that remediation can be performed using remote management access protocols. Product suites are good for doing software deployments, patch management, application control and usage metering.

Tools such as Express Metrix 8.0 guarantee companies will meet compliance requirements and help them make the most efficient use of their software dollars. Metrix helps users understand license requirements based on usage, which is important when renegotiating licenses with vendors.

One of the biggest challenges for asset management tools today is how to provide the correct information on migrating to different environments. For instance, what does a solution provider needs to know when recommending a migration to Vista? While Vista can be rolled out with hardware upgrades, what software upgrades can run on Vista? Customers want to know what incompatibilities exist with Vista before taking large steps.

The Metrix tool specializes in analyzing IT assets from a licensing perspective. In addition, Metrix verifies compliance and looks at usage monitoring and metering. Metrix helps customers understand the efficiency of software purchases so that they can control application launches.

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Metrix is unique in its emphasis on software licensing. In addition to IT, output reports from Metrix help legal and purchasing departments as well as CIOs as they make decisions on what software to buy or scale back on. The software performs hardware inventory as well.

As far as its channel program, Metrix sells 50 percent through the channel and 50 percent direct. The company primarily focuses on the SMB market. The software is now covering some 2 million desktops worldwide. Here's how you can roll it out successfully for your customers:

Step 1: Installation

Metrix installs a client on desktops. Once installed, the client agent communicates with IIS to transfer information. Metrix installs a database in Microsoft SQL Server, a Microsoft .Net Web service in IIS, a Web-based administrative console and a report generator tool. The software takes about 10 to 30 minutes to install. Metrix primarily focuses on intranet deployments. The software also works on VPNs.

The client collects software and hardware inventory with software usage data. The client can collect usage data on mobile computers while they are not connected to networks. The agent can cache data locally, so it works well for mobile users. The agent can also control applications running on mobile computers. Users are stopped from running any application that is not authorized.

Metrix is all about reporting on software so it's no surprise that its main management console provides a list of reports. The right pane shows details on each report. Some of the important options that are shown the right pane for manipulating report details are filters, license units and users.

NEXT: I am compliant, hear me roar Step 2: Making Sense of Data Collection

One of the most important reports is "Am I Compliant."

The "Am I Compliant" report is giving a high level view to a customer by answering how many applications that are installed on every computer.

The important detail of the report is the non-compliant assets list. Customers first need to know where they are at risk. The details of the report break down on each application. The third column over shows licenses purchased.

The report example here shows four licenses for Microsoft Office, 11 installed, so there are seven licenses that need to be purchased. This report informs customers that they have an immediate problem meeting license requirements.

The Unused License Unit report is even more interesting because it shows how many folks are using the products vs. the number of licenses installed. This report is a huge money-saver for customers. Customers can develop a plan on how to shift software budgets between licenses.

NEXT: The key to successful license negotiation The Metrix client agent is far more accurate than the Windows tracking method. The agent can collect statistics when users launch applications and when they shut them down. On the server side, Metrix then builds a time line for the applications.

Here's the report filtered by users. It clearly shows which users have an Office license.

According to Metrix, Microsoft and many other vendors are more open to negotiating licenses when they know that customers have a tool that collects license metrics.

Step 3: Wrapping Up Collected Reports

After combing through all reports, solution providers can use the Express Software Manager tool to help customers see where all the components are installed. The tool also shows how many machines have the Metrix Client installed. All of the links in the pane are live, and it shows all the machines that are installed.

Solution providers need to know that most companies have policies in place that can help them do the job. Solution providers should not encounter any resistance from end users.